Congregation Shalom

Message from the special Chanukah service (12/8/18).

What Christians can learn from Chanukah for Christmas What Christians can learn from Chanukah for Christmas (John 10:22-39). By Steve Laskowski 22 Then came Hanukkah; it was winter in Jerusalem. 23 Yeshua was walking in the Temple around Solomon’s Col…

As Director of the Pasche Institute of Jewish Studies, let me add my endorsement to others on behalf of John Denson. I have known Pastor Denson for most of the past decade, and have found him to be a man of unquestioned integrity and unusual giftedness. He has a love for the Jewish people that includes a concern for their salvation. It is most unusual to find a concern for the salvation of the Jewish people in the Church, in general, and especially is this the case in the Black church. How can this be? Do we not all worship the God of Israel? Could the God of Israel be indifferent to the spiritual condition of the Jewish people? I am convinced that by understanding God’s role for Israel in His universal plan of redemption , we will learn more about our Father and the mission of the one who was named, “Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). For these reasons, I want to strongly encourage you to support and pray for my brother, John Denson. My prayer is that he will infect everyone whom he meets with a passion for the salvation of the Jewish people.

Jim R. Sibley

Director

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon.” (Psalm 92:12)

Tu B’Shvat

Although the traditions attached to this holiday are deeply rooted in Jewish history, one of the newer traditions is tree planting. Throughout Israel, people are outside planting saplings today—students, families, employees, soldiers, and new olim (immigrants).

Its blossoms remind us of the miracles that the Lord (Adonai) has in store for us. Just as the coldest, darkest winters always end, and the earth brings forth fruit, so too in our lives: even the darkest of days end and God has something fresh in store for us.


Almond blossoms in Israel

"Blessed is the one … whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers." (Psalm 1:1–3)

Planting a seed is an act of faith.

When we plant a seed, it doesn't spring up overnight. It grows unseen inside the earth. We cannot see its transformation as it puts down roots that draw nourishment from the earth. Then it pushes past the surface toward light, eventually bearing fruit.

As we celebrate the growth of trees that produce oxygen for us to breathe and fruit to eat, we remember that many Bible verses compare people to the trees of the field. (Deuteronomy 20:19)

"They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor." (Isaiah 61:3)



Brothers walk together through a blossoming almond grove in Israel.

Tu B’Shvat is a day to ask ourselves if we, like a tree, are reaching upward toward the Light.

Are we making sure that our fruit is sweet, and that we are adding another ring of growth in the Lord as each year passes?

Also, are we nurturing the potential in others by caring for those saplings that have been entrusted to us, watering them and sheltering them?

As the sap begins to rise in the trees in Israel, preparing them to bear leaves, flowers, and fruit, please sow the Good Seed of the Word of God .

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives." (Proverbs 11:30)

Please help us in the restoration of God,s people by helping planting our church (Congregation Shalom) with a seed gift
donate on line www.shalomministry.com
or send gift to PO BOX 19695 DETROIT MI 48219

Shalom

Pastor John

Shalom Ministry Boldly taking the news of the Gospel to Jewish people and the Gentiles